In the late 1960's John L. Grove, with his wife Cora embarked on on a cross country voyage in their RV. Recently retired, after spending several years working with his brother to build their crane company into an market leader, John had no idea that important trip would allow JLG Industries, Inc to emerge. The world leader of mobile aerial work platforms and precision materials handling equipment was the end result of a road trip.
During their journey, John reacquainted himself with previous business acquaintances along the way. In combination with these conversations and a noteworthy event; two workers had been tragically electrocuted on scaffolding when the Groves were passing through the Hoover Dam. John uncovered a considerable marketplace for a product that could promptly and securely elevate people in the air to accomplish upkeep and other building functions.
After their return from holiday, John set up a partnership with two of his friends and bought a metal fabricating business in McConnellsburg, Pennsylvania. Opening with a small crew of twenty workers, they fashioned and sold their first JLG aerial work platform in 1970. The company incorporates some of the simple design elements of that original lift into existing designs.
JLG forklifts have come a long way from the time when Mr. John L. Grove returned to town from his cross-country road trip and since the initial aerial work platform debuted on the market. Today, the company proudly continues to expand itself into numerous markets worldwide and develops new products to make sure consumers are capable of being more effective and perform in the workplace within a safer environment.